Florence B’s Mineola, Texas

Florence B’s Mineola, Texas

About 80 miles east of Dallas is a storybook town called Mineola, Texas. As you drive in on Broad St., hang a left on N. Johnson, and second shop from the corner is a red painted brick building. Looking up, there’s a white sign with two birds sitting atop a floral branch with letters that read FLORENCE B’S. Look down and you’ll see a glass store front, full of gorgeous rustic farmhouse decor and clothing. OK, OK, OK, go in already!

Walking into Florence B’s there’s a stunning tin ceiling, lining the whole store, and dark stained vintage hardwoods. You’ll be greeted with a friendly voice, “Hello, Welcome,” and that friendly face you see will most likely be owner/operator Theresa Ward.

First off, Theresa is very special to me, she has known me more than half my life, and she raised an amazing man whom I call my husband. When I met my husband’s family at their home about 17 years ago, I walked into a beautifully decorated house full of style. From that moment on, I have stolen much of my decorating inspiration from her. Oh, and her closet! Theresa has always been fashion forward yet classic, and she constantly hears from others “where did you get that!” So when the news broke about Theresa opening a store, my first thought was FINALLY!

Florence B’s opened its doors April 13, 2017 and you will find Theresa there almost every day. She has filled the store with exclusive brands of clothing, shoes, home decor, candles, jewelry, and even features a local woodworking artist.

Local Woodworking Artist Kevin Lyne

Are you curious about who Theresa is and how this new venture all came about?? Well you’re in luck! I recently asked her a series of questions, so you can have some insight into how Florence B’s came about and why she chose small town Texas to open shop.

Theresa and her husband Les moved to East Texas 3 years ago, after living in the Dallas area for more than 30 years. The initial lightbulb moment, Theresa said, was when “a ladies clothing store in my location had to close. It was an opportunity for me to open a store to provide products not available in our remote community.”

Where did the name Florence B’s come from? “Florence B. was my mother’s name,” Theresa said, and she adored her mother. She and Les always talk about Florence and constantly share hilarious stories about her. What did Theresa do before opening Florence B’s? “Before Florence B’s opened, I was an accountant for 34 years.” And why the career change? “I’ve always loved clothes and home decor, so why not combine both in an area that was in need.”

Theresa LOVES living in East Texas, and she LOVES meeting new people.

So naturally her “favorite thing about being a new business owner is meeting new people” in the community. Theresa went on to say more about her passion, “I love being able to provide clothing and home decor / gift items to consumers in my immediate area.” Since Florence B’s has opened, she said, “feedback has been so positive and people are so excited to have a local shop to fulfill their needs!” However, she shares with me her biggest challenge as new entrepreneur “has been getting the word out that I’m open. I just sent out my first large scale mail-out advertisement as well as local radio advertising.”

Now that you have gotten a small taste of Florence B’s, I know you want to meet Theresa and see the shop yourself. SO GO!!!! Plug the address in your phone and go!

Comments

We go to Dallas once every few years to visit family, but we drive 2 hours west. I’m going to remember this place and one of these visits we might drive east to check it out. Some really great finds here 🙂

About Me

Hi, I’m Laura! Lover of everything home and family. Stay tuned as I share our family’s journey living through the renovation of our new (old) home… with a little of everything in between. || Life in Renovation ||